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How to Teach English in Thailand: Quick Pre-Travel Prep

Want to Teach English in Thailand? First you’ve got a bit of pre-travel preparation to do. Lucky for you, I have all the required stuff listed here.

The following lists contain requirements to teach English in Thailand. I can’t speak to the specifics of other southeast asian countries’ requirements (yet), but I assume they’re similar.

DOCUMENTS

Original Passport

3 color photos (roughly 2×2″) of yourself (for your work permit).

3 signed photo copies of your passport

Original Degree Certificate — Yeah, a degree is one of those things employers expect you to have these days.

University transcript — Just another document to prove your English competence and education.

Degree verification letter — Not required, but just incase there’s an issue with your documents.

Police Criminal Record — Arrange an appointment to have your fingerprints officially recorded by a company like L-1 Identity Solutions. They’ll send you your record for a $25 fee. Or just stop by your local police station.

VISA

Visit or contact your localThai Embassyor Consulate General to apply for either one of the following options:

Tourist Visa ~$80 USD

Non-Immigrant Visa ~$200 USD

Non-Immigrant “O” Visa

I applied for my visa at the Dallas Consulate Generaloffice with W. Forrest Smith. He was very kind and encouraging when we discussed traveling so I recommend meeting with him if you have the option. I’ve heard tales of folks struggling to obtain coveted visas via other less friendly embassies. Apply early just incase.

TEFL / TESOL CERTIFICATION

Although it’s possible to teach English in Thailand without having a TESOL/TEFOL certification, I recommend it. Some schools won’t hire unless you have one. Plus, it will give you some helpful tools you’ll need to teach.

Get this straight….. “some” school with hire ANYONE who can mumble English. These are bogus schools that pay low if at all, break promises, and basically shame you as an employee. They fire you anytime and worst… you face a class of desperate non-learners who paid less in vain hope of English and will report a ‘teacher’ as a failure, thus firings often. This is the shit job of Thailand.